# "It Feels Wrong": Working with Guilt and Resistance to Self-Compassion

Many clients—and counsellors themselves—report feeling guilt, discomfort, or even anxiety when encouraged to practice self-compassion. This one-hour practical session explores the psychological and cultural roots of this resistance, drawing on research from Professor Paul Gilbert, Kristin Neff and related clinical insights from Compassion-Focused Therapy. Through discussion, brief experiential exercises, and case examples, participants will examine common fears and misconceptions about self-compassion (e.g. “it’s selfish,” “it will make me weak or lazy”) and learn how to address guilt-based blocks compassionately and effectively in therapeutic work.

**By the end of this one-hour session, participants will be able to:**

- Explain common psychological, developmental, and cultural reasons why individuals experience guilt when practicing self-compassion

- Identify typical fears, beliefs, and misconceptions that underpin resistance to self-compassion (e.g. fears of selfishness, complacency, or loss of standards)

- Recognise how guilt and shame-based learning histories influence clients’ responses to compassionate interventions

- Apply practical, compassion-informed strategies to work with guilt and resistance in counselling sessions

- Support clients to reframe self-compassion as a resource for responsibility, motivation, and emotional resilience rather than a moral failing

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# Introducing Enhancing Practice: CPD Lunch Hour

Enhancing Practice: CPD Lunch Hour is a regular one-hour online

training session for counsellors and therapists, designed to support high-

quality, reflective professional practice.

Each session revisits core aspects of therapeutic work through a

contemporary lens, offering both timely reminders and fresh

perspectives on topics central to effective, ethical practice. The focus is

practical and applied, helping practitioners refine existing skills, deepen

understanding, and integrate learning directly into their clinical work.

Sessions are CPD-aligned and suitable for practitioners at all stages of

their career, providing structured learning that contributes meaningfully

to ongoing professional development — all within a convenient

lunchtime format.

Enhancing Practice: CPD Lunch Hour supports therapists to stay

current, reflective, and confident in their work — one hour at a time.

Description supplied by the event organiser.